Asthma

Overview

What is asthma?

Asthma is a disease of the lungs. The airways of people who have asthma are extra sensitive to the things they're allergic to (called allergens) and to other irritating things in the air (called irritants).

Asthma symptoms start when allergens or other irritants cause the lining of the airways to become inflamed (swollen) and narrow. The muscles around the airways can then spasm (contract rapidly), causing the airways to narrow even more. When the lining of the airways is inflamed, it produces more mucus. The mucus clogs the airways and further blocks the flow of air. This is called an "asthma attack."

Symptoms

What is an asthma attack?

An asthma attack occurs when excess mucus causes your air tubes to swell and tighten. Asthma attacks can be mild, moderate or severe. Symptoms of an asthma attack include the following:

How can I tell if an asthma attack is serious?

You should use (or have your child use) a peak flow meter every day. A peak flow meter measures how much air flows out of your lungs. People who have asthma have lower air flow in and out of their lungs than other people. Measuring peak flow levels can help you see problems with your air flow before you have any symptoms of asthma.

A meter can also help tell you and your doctor how serious your asthma attacks are. You'll be able to see when you should take medicine or when you need emergency care. Peak flow readings may also help you find the triggers that make your asthma symptoms worse.

How can I tell if my asthma is getting worse?

Signs that your asthma is getting worse include having symptoms at night, a drop in your peak flow and the need to use your rescue medicine more often. Talk to your doctor if you think that your asthma is getting worse.

Causes & Risk Factors

What causes asthma symptoms?

Your asthma can flare up for many different reasons. Allergies can make your asthma symptoms get worse. Viral infections (such as a cold), tobacco, pollutants (such as wood smoke), cold air, exercise, fumes from chemicals or perfume, sinus infections and heartburn can all cause a flare-up. For some people, strong emotions or stress can trigger an asthma attack. Pay attention to the way these things affect your asthma. If you and your doctor figure out which things bother your asthma, you can start trying to address them.

Diagnosis & Tests

What is a peak flow meter?

A peak flow meter is a hand-held device that measures your peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), or how fast you can blow air out of your lungs. Measuring your peak flow regularly can help you tell whether your asthma is getting worse.

To use a peak flow meter, you will first need to find out your "personal best" peak flow. Take a deep breath and blow as hard as you can into the mouthpiece. Your personal best is the highest reading you get on the meter over a 2-week period when your asthma is under good control.

How do I use a peak flow meter?

To use a peak flow meter, follow these steps:

Move the indicator to the bottom of the numbered scale.

Stand up.

Take a deep breath.

Close your lips (or have your child close his or her lips) around the mouthpiece of the flow meter. Your tongue should not go inside the tube.

Blow out as hard and fast as possible.

The indicator on the meter will move up. Write down the number where it stops. Repeat steps 1 through 5 two more times. Write down the highest of the three numbers on the peak flow meter record chart.

Sample peak flow chart

Below is a sample of a peak flow meter record chart. You may mark your child's daily scores on a similar graph to see whether your asthma is in the green zone, yellow zone or red zone.

What is the peak flow zone system?

Once you know your (or your child's) personal best peak flow score, your doctor can tell you how to do the next step. Peak flow scores are put in "zones" like the colors in traffic lights.

Green Zone: This is a score that is 80% to 100% of the personal best score. It signals that your/your child’s asthma is under control. No symptoms are present, but you/your child should take preventive asthma medicines as usual.

Yellow Zone: This is a score that is 50% to 80% of the personal best score. It signals that your/your child's asthma is getting worse. You may be coughing or wheezing frequently. You may need extra asthma medicine. Follow your doctor's written instructions or call your doctor for advice.

Red Zone: This is a score that is below 50% of the personal best score. It signals a medical emergency. You/your child may have severe coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, and your lips and fingernails may be turning a grayish or bluish color. Use an inhaler or other medicine to open your airways right away. Call your doctor immediately for more advice.

Treatment

How do I control my asthma symptoms?

What medicines are used to treat asthma?

Asthma medicines can generally be divided into two groups: medicines to prevent attacks (controller medicines) and medicines to treat attacks (sometimes called rescue medicines). Your doctor will talk to you about these medicines and what to do if you have an asthma attack. Ask your doctor for written instructions about how to take your medicines. Your doctor may have a form to give you, or you can print out this one.

Controller and Quick-Relief Medicines

The following are some of the prescription medicines most commonly used by people who have asthma:

Controller Medicines

Inhaled corticosteroids

Cromolyn

Nedocromil

Anti-leukotrienes

Theophylline

Salmeterol (inhaled long-acting beta2 agonist)

Quick-Relief Medicines

How do controller medicines work?

Controller medicines help reduce the swelling in your airways to prevent asthma attacks. Controller medicines must be taken on a regular basis--whether or not you're having symptoms. They take hours or days to start to help and don't work well unless you take them regularly.

How do rescue medicines work?

Rescue medicines (also called quick-acting or quick-relief medicines) provide quick relief during an asthma attack by helping the muscles around your airways relax, which allows your airways to open. If you feel like you’re having an asthma attack, follow your doctor’s instructions for taking this medicine right away.

Primatene Mist Inhaler was discontinued

Primatene Mist Inhaler, an over-the-counter asthma inhaler, is longer available after December 31, 2011. If you currently use Primatene Mist Inhaler, it's safe to continue using it as long as it hasn't expired. Talk to your doctor about switching to a different medicine to treat your asthma. For more information, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website.

Prevention

Is there anything I can do to help avoid asthma attacks?

You can help avoid asthma attacks by avoiding the triggers (also called allergens) and irritants that can start an asthma attack. Triggers and irritants vary for each individual, but the following are some examples of common triggers and irritants:

How do I avoid common asthma triggers?

If pollen and mold cause your symptoms, use your air conditioner and try to keep the windows of your home and car closed. Change the filter on your heating and cooling system frequently.

To keep mold down, clean and air out bathrooms, kitchens and basements often. Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to keep the level of humidity less than 50%.

People who are allergic to dust are actually allergic to the droppings of dust mites. To reduce dust mites in your home, wash bed sheets weekly in hot water (above 130°F). Cover mattresses and pillows in airtight covers, and remove carpets and drapes. If you must have carpet, you can treat it with chemicals to help reduce dust mites. Try to avoid stuffed animals, dried flowers and other things that trap dust.

Pets can cause problems if you are allergic to them. If you have a pet, keep it out of your bedroom.

Don't allow smoking in your house or car. Tobacco smoke can make asthma worse.

Other Organizations

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Will you provide written instructions for my/my child’s treatment plan?

What information do I need to give my child’s school about his/her treatment?

Would allergy testing help determine what’s causing asthma symptoms?

What changes can I make at home to relieve my/my child’s asthma symptoms?

Is it safe to exercise and/or play sports with asthma?

What are the signs of an emergency? What should I do in an emergency?

SourceSome information adapted from "What you and your family can do about asthma," a patient information booklet published by the Global Initiative for Asthma, a joint effort of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the World Health Organization. This and other publications are available through the Internet (http://www.ginasthma.com).